Carwash/Laundromat moves closer to construction

SOOKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — People who spoke out during public hearings were worried about traffic, pedestrians and the environment.

SOOKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — Public hearings for a carwash/Laundromat here were held on Sept. 10 and 18, and the public got a chance to express their opinions on the proposal, the Sooke News Mirror reported.

The Sept. 26 article stated that the wash’s proponents were seeking a site-specific text amendment that would allow a carwash as a permitted use. In the end, the District of Sooke council voted five to two in favor of the change.

Most of the people that came before the council were not opposed to a carwash but rather the location and the development being contrary to the Official Community and Town Centre Plans. The main issues cited were traffic congestion, pedestrian-friendly areas, preferential treatment and environmental concerns.

Mayor Wendal Milne said the council does not take the town’s plans lightly. “They are not specific. They are visionary,” he said in the story. “In reality the town center has shifted to Mariners’ Village, that puts Murray Road on the periphery in my opinion.”

Doug Wittich, who spoke for property owners/developers J.C.B. Holdings, said he was impressed and had tremendous respect for the people who spoke on the project. “I appreciate the fact of the immense level of respect for both parties,” Wittich said in the story. “The whole process was amazing, I had to leave my trust with the council.”